X were West Coast punk rockers who tinged their visceral attack with touches of Americana and rockabilly. Led by the male-female duo of vocalist and bassist John Doe and vocalist Exene Cervenka, with guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer D.J. Bonebrake, X had a unique sound among punk acts.
Trading off lead vocal duties and often singing in unison, Doe and Cervenka were one of the few male-female duos in punk rock, and their contrasting styles led to a sound that was at once intriguing and off-putting. Half the time, John Doe seems to me to be singing harmony to some melody that must be playing in his head, even when he’s singing lead; meanwhile, Exene Cervenka accompanies with a wailing drone in the background. More often than not, Cervenka takes lead, and then its Doe providing slightly off-kilter backup. A mild and oddly appealing dissonance seemed a key feature of their pairing.
X was one of the most important American punk bands, and a leading figure in the underground music scene that would later burst into the mainstream with the alternative rock explosion of the early ‘90s.
Essential listening. So do it.
Cover Art:
- Los Angeles (front and back cover): Source, Discogs.com
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